The health and wellbeing benefits of learning to swim as an adult

It’s never too late to learn how to swim! Making the choice to become a swimmer will uncover a myriad of new opportunities for enjoyment, social interaction and fun. It will endow you with life-saving skills and newfound confidence.

It will reinvigorate your sense of adventure!

We are less likely, as adults, to experience entirely new sensations. Swimming engages the body and mind; new muscle memory will be formed over time from learning how to move through space in a different way. Developing an entirely new skill set in adulthood can be challenging, but also very exciting. Once you become a confident swimmer, many new opportunities open up; scuba diving, surfing, water-skiing. It can give you a new lease on life.

It will further enrich your favourite activities!

We have fantastic weather in Australia, so it is no surprise that many of our cultural pastimes take place in or around water. Particularly during the warmer months, many social activities occur at the pool, beach or river. If you are not a swimmer, being around water may cause some anxiety. Seeing your peers enjoying the water without you may also diminish your enjoyment. Becoming a swimmer will allow you to fully enjoy fun activities with friends and family; the ability to get in the water is a welcome reprieve on hot summer days!

It will greatly enhance your own, and your children’s safety!

Being able to swim, in a country full of backyard pools and beaches, is a critical safety and survival skill. Between July 1st and June 30th of 2017, 291 people drowned in Australia. Surprisingly, studies have shown that the majority of people who are unable to swim will still participate in activities around large bodies of water; going on boats, to backyard pool parties and on fishing trips. In the event that a non-swimmer takes their child swimming, they will be unable to rescue their child if they become distressed in the water. Becoming a strong swimmer is a critical safety measure for yourself, and for your children.  

It will improve your health!

Swimming strengthens all the major muscle groups, and enhances flexibility, endurance, circulation, and energy levels. It is much gentler on the joints than dry-land exercise. This makes it a great workout for the elderly, chronic pain sufferers and people with injuries. Swimming has also been shown to have a positive effect on mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Becoming a swimmer in adulthood is a fun, effective way to manage these aspects of your overall health and wellbeing.

It will expand your social circle!

Often the stresses of work and childcare can shrink your friendship circle in adulthood, and it’s not always easy to make new friends when we are all so busy! Joining an adult swimming class is a wonderful way to find like-minded people you can relate to. The consistency of a weekly class allows participants to develop friendships over time, in a way that doesn’t put strain on a busy schedule. Learning to swim with your children is also a great way to strengthen relationships within your own family; many fun and treasured memories are made in the pool or at the beach!

It will grow your self-confidence!

Learning a dynamic new skillet in adulthood is a wonderful confidence booster. Swimming makes you happier, healthier and safer; what’s not to love? It’s never too late; take the plunge and enhance your life!

Written by: Tess Purling